Palestinian soldiers just passed the 10,000 mark for rocket and missile attacks this century. They've been firing rockets at Israeli schools and hospitals every day from the end of Eid up until Thursday night. And the ceasefire's only now expired?

Palestinian terrorists fired three Kassam rockets at the western Negev on Friday morning, slightly over an hour after the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza factions officially ended. Two of the rockets landed in open fields in the Eshkol region, while the third slammed into the Sha'ar Hanegev area. No one was wounded and no damage was reported. Also Friday morning, Gaza terrorists fired at farmers near Kibbutz Nir Oz, in the Eshkol region. No one was wounded, but vehicles were damaged.

It's been obvious for a long time that the next Gaza confrontation is going to be brutal for both sides. Hamas has a substantial army, is buoyed by Lebanon II, and is taking its orders directly from Tehran. So they're not inclined to ask for another ceasefire any time soon:

Iran's influence over Hamas has increased in recent months and Teheran is playing a key role in the terror group's decision-making process regarding whether to extend the cease-fire with Israel that will expire on Friday, defense officials said Monday. According to the officials, Egypt - which for years was the main address for dealings with Hamas - has lost its authority over the terror group and is being replaced in part by Iran. The Gaza issue has been a source of contention between Teheran and Cairo in recent weeks. As an example of Egypt's decline, the official noted that in November, Hamas rejected an Egyptian request to come to Cairo for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. "Egyptian influence over Hamas has dropped," a senior defense official said Monday. "Iran's influence, on the other hand, is on the rise."

Yes the IDF is objectively stronger. But Hamas needs to do only two things to quickly make the situation impossible for Israel: (1) use the same human shields and residential neighborhoods that they always do and (2) make sure that photojournalists have their pictures ready - appropriately cropped to go with anti-Israel boilerplate - before the filing deadlines of the major international wires. Israel has said that it won't invade if rocket fire stops - but somehow I don't think you'll see many references to that naunce.

References:
* Missile and Mortar Attacks on Israel Pass 10,000 Mark [A7]
* Hamas Rockets And Missiles Hit Israeli Mall, Injure 3. It's Almost Like There's No Ceasefire At All! [MR]
* Kassam rocket strikes open area in Ashkol region; none wounded [JPost]
* 3 Kassams hit South, farmers fired at [JPost]
* IDF faces stronger Hamas [YNet]
* Hamas Exploiting Ceasefire To Train Waves Of New Soldiers In Former Jewish Settlements, Synagogues (Plus: Fatah's Al Qaeda Intifada?) [MR]
* 'Iran influence over Hamas is growing' [JPost]
* 3 Qassams hit Negev as Israeli officials threaten Gaza offensive [Ha'aretz]

Previously:
* Hamas Uses Mosque For Explosives Storage, Snipers' Nest, Wounding IDF Soldiers
* Hamas Launching Dozens Of Rockets From Palestinian Neighborhoods, Attacking Israeli Troops (Plus: US Announces $14 Million In New Aid)
* Hamas Rockets And Missiles Hit Israeli Mall, Injure 3. It's Almost Like There's No Ceasefire At All! [MR]